Oral History of Joe Thompson (2018)

Oral History of Joe Thompson, interviewed by David C. Brock (Computer History Museum Software History Center Director and Curator) on February 19, 2018, in Carson, CA. Collection of the Computer History Museum, 102738732. FULL TRANSCRIPT

 

Joseph “Joe” Thompson is a software engineer and project administrator known as the first operator of the Whirlwind computer. In this oral history with David C. Brock, Thompson recounts his upbringing in Baltimore, Maryland, and Roxbury, Massachusetts, his work on the Whirlwind computer at MIT, his recruitment by RAND corporation, and his involvement at RAND, System Development Corporation and Unisys in the management of large computer projects for U.S. national defense. READ MORE

Computer History Museum

Timeline: 2010s
School: School of Engineering
Department: Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Career: MilitaryTechnology
Object: Video
Collection: Exhibits, Lincoln Lab, Order of Operations 1921-1945, Rising Voices 1995-Present, Staff
External Link: https://computerhistory.org/blog/meeting-whirlwind-s-joe-thompson/